[Dimnium2]

Hello All,

I am a newbie or potential newbie to the BB world. I have been using a Treo 700w for the last 1.5 years and many palm/windows devices prior. Yes, I am sick of the crashes and what-nots. I love the seamless integration with Outlook2003. By far the Treo 700w has been the best for WM platform but itxxx8217;s not that robust. I am thinking of going to new BB 8830 on VZW. I would really appreciate it if I can get comments on these areas. I looked thru the forum but I am still xxx8220;iffyxxx8221;.

Questions:

1) Howxxx8217;s the outlook 2003+ sync via USB? I need this to be clean and pretty robust. Thatxxx8217;s why I like and got the Treo 700w. I heard the birthday thing is an issue xxx8211; how bad is it? I do like entering bdays in the contacts and it shows up on my calendar automatically.
2) I have over 700 contacts. The treo wasnxxx8217;t very fast and really lags. How does the BB handle this?
3) Howxxx8217;s the standard PIM in general? I like the outlook-like interface on the Treo but it is a bit clunky.
4) I heard stability is first class xxx8211; even better than palms xxx8211; how is it really?
5) Would any mini-usb cable charge this device?

Please try to win me over. I am been dying for a new gadget! xxx61514;

Regards,

Jimmy

[cdd543]

1. Best Solution is BES(software sits behind firewall) allowing wireless sync. With no BES you can use USB that works fine via usb w/ outlook.

2. Blackberry will not even sneeze at 700..can easily hold a few thousand and is based on available memory.

3. PIM is very good and customizable..even third party apps if necessary.

4. Stability is the best of the smartphones..bar none

5.yes..all bberries use mini usb

Blackberry is better than ever and the pearl and 8800 even have good phones! I have used them all from blackjack/ treo 750, treo 700 on vzw, 650 and on and I always come back to blackberry.

[Dimnium2]

Thanks.. also, how's they keyboard on the 8800 series?

-J

[trojanvision]

I came from a Treo 750 and I definitely love the 8800, despite the lack of 3G and sling. However, that being said, I need the essentials to work, and work flawlessly. The keyboard is great--I prefer the 8800 keyboard over the Treo, though the thicker form factor of the 750 is more ergonomical for me. PIM synchronization is blazingly fast, compared to the drawn out Windows Mobile process. The 8800 is not as robust, but it does what it does well.

[trojanvision]

I came from a Treo 750 and I definitely love the 8800, despite the lack of 3G and sling. However, that being said, I need the essentials to work, and work flawlessly. The keyboard is great--I prefer the 8800 keyboard over the Treo, though the thicker form factor of the 750 is more ergonomical for me. PIM synchronization is blazingly fast, compared to the drawn out Windows Mobile process. The 8800 is not as robust, but it does what it does well.

[takeshi]

Originally Posted by Dimnium2

3) How’s the standard PIM in general? I like the outlook-like interface on the Treo but it is a bit clunky.

If you're coming from a Treo you probably won't be impressed by the BB's PIM functions. They're more than enough for me but my needs are pretty basic.

Originally Posted by Dimnium2

4) I heard stability is first class – even better than palms – how is it really?

Not much to say here other than there's a reason that you've heard that.

[Dimnium2]

thanks! I really appreciate the comments....!

[Outrigger]

One more thing. I have used a Treo 650, 700w, and 750. One thing I liked about the outlook is that it mirrors 100% your desktop outlook and all its folders going back as far as whatever you have in it. With the BB, it does not sync ALL the way back, just a few days back from the time you activate it and going forward. And also, it seems that on the current BBs, you can only attach pictures or contacts, not anything you want which isn't a big deal to me since I don't attach files on a regular basis anyways.

[hakaida442]

I was a 700w user on verizon and just got the 8800 on cingular. The constant freezing/crashing of the treo is what made me change. I love the windows mobile today interface, pocket outlook, and pocket internet explorer better. If it just wasn't a piece of junk, I would've kept it, but I needed something stable in my line of work. The keys on the 8800 need getting used to and the trackball is pretty good. I'm not missing the touchscreen too much.

[bikedogrun]

Originally Posted by Outrigger

One thing I liked about outlook is that it mirrors 100% your desktop outlook and all its folders going back as far as whatever you have in it. With the BB, it does not sync ALL the way back, just a few days back from the time you activate it and going forward.

Hmm ... not sure about syncing back from activation date, but going forward you can certainly save your email (if you have the memory) from 15 days back all the way to FOREVER!

I wouldn't want a mirror-image of my laptop on my BB ... just emails from the last 30 days that I need with me at all times but I can imagine that some folks may want/need to do that.

/BD

[Dimnium2]

Thanks peeps!

Hey is there a "Today screen" on the BB? I really like that on my Treo 700 w.

thanks,
JImmy

[trojanvision]

The today screen programs for the 8800s are not as nice as for Windows Mobile. The default one that came with the 8800 shows the calendar, message, and call log. The third party apps aren't as nice to look at compared to WM, kind of the like the old Today screens from the early Pocket PC era.

[hakaida442]

I miss the wm5 today screen, but that's just the price for a device that is faster and more reliable.

[Dimnium2]

thanks! i checked out the 8800 at a local ATT store and noticed that the "today screen" doesn't have a tasks menu - just calender, phone long, msgs... is that possible to add "tasks" in there? that is all i really need and be happy.

[trojanvision]

There are third party apps like PocketToday and others. Do a google search for today screens and blackberries.